Jonathan condemns use of state power to intimidate voters,

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has called for new boundaries on political conduct during off-cycle elections in Nigeria, expressing concern over the large-scale deployment of public officials and security personnel to states where elections are being held.

The former president expressed concern over the growing practice of serving governors, senior government officials, and party leaders converging on states during off-cycle elections alongside heavy security details and aides.

He stated this while reacting to the just concluded Osun State governorship election, won by the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.

The ICIR reports that the major opposition in the election – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – had most of its governors, National Assembly leaders, and other stalwarts of the party in the state during the poll.

In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, August 18, Jonathan commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and the electorate in Osun for achieving a peaceful electoral process.

“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns,” Jonathan stated.

He noted that although political parties are legally entitled to campaign and deploy party structures ahead of polls, large-scale deployments of public office holders on election day creates an atmosphere of apprehension and undue pressure.

“Political parties are entitled to campaign, mobilise their supporters and deploy their legitimate party structures. That is an essential part of democracy,” Jonathan remarked. “However, there is a point at which political mobilisation, particularly when it involves the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors from across the country on election day, can create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure,” he added.

Jonathan warned that if left unchecked, the practice could increase political tensions in future contests across different states.

To address the issue, the former president called on the National Peace Committee to organise a neutral, multi-stakeholder dialogue involving party leaders, electoral officials, security agencies, lawmakers, civil society, and the media to establish acceptable standards for political conduct.

The iCIR reports that the APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel had frowned at the APC’s conduct before and during the election.

Israel acknowledged the election result, commending President Bola Tinubu for allowing a transparent process without deploying state machinery to influence the outcome.

He also highlighted how Accord Party successfully connected with local voters and young people through the use of strategies that resonate with the people.

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Israel pointed out that the APC relied heavily on its officials in Abuja rather than empowering its youth structures or grassroots mobilisers.

“While the opposition deliberately activated its most recognisable young figures, our party largely relied on a structure dominated by governors, senators and former office holders.”These leaders are important, but we must ask a hard question: how many young Nigerians do they genuinely inspire, mobilise or emotionally connect with?”

He further emphasised that effective election campaigns must be anchored by local community organisers who understand the electorate on the ground.

“Bringing governors and national figures from outside Osun may create optics, but elections are won by those who understand the streets, compounds, markets, campuses, motor parks, churches, mosques and communities. Local people must lead the local campaign and be complemented by voices of national influencers who can also energise the base,” he said.

He urged the APC leadership to review its internal reconciliation mechanisms, engage constitutional party wings on time, and rebuild grassroots engagement strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.